Can Emma Raducanu step back into the limelight?
British No.1 is battling form and injury issues ahead of her US Open title defence
In just over a fortnight, Emma Raducanu will begin the defence of her US Open title, said Stephen Davies in The Mail on Sunday. But last week, her preparations “suffered another setback” after she was “bullied into defeat by Liudmila Samsonova of Russia” in the quarter-finals of the Washington Citi Open in Washington. The 19-year-old blew four set points in the first set, and from then on her performance was “dismal”. She slumped to a 7-6, 6-1 defeat.
It’s an inauspicious start for Raducanu, who has won just 11 of her 25 matches played on the WTA Tour so far this season. She keeps losing to players ranked well below her – Samsonova was the world No.60 – and keeps getting injured, said Jamie Johnson in The Daily Telegraph. In the past year, the afflictions have mounted: sore ribs, a foot injury, shortness of breath. In Washington, she suffered a return of the blisters on her right hand that plagued her at the Australian Open in January.
On Tuesday world No.10 Raducanu suffered another loss, this time 7-6, 6-2 against Italy’s Camila Giorgi at the Canadian Open in Toronto. The defeat to defending champion Giorgi was the “latest blow” to Raducanu’s US Open preparations, said the Press Association. The teenager “squandered chances to seize the initiative” in either set and “let slip a 2-0 lead in the second before bowing out in one hour and 49 minutes”.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Another issue is her lack of “coaching consistency”, said Johnson in the Telegraph. She has hired and fired two coaches over the past year, and is now working on a temporary basis with the Russian former player Dmitry Tursunov. Yet Raducanu insists she isn’t feeling any pressure. She said: “I’m still 19. I’m a slam champion, so no one’s going to take that away from me. The pressure is on those who haven’t done that.”
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Who actually needs life insurance?
The Explainer If you have kids or are worried about passing on debt, the added security may be worth it
By Becca Stanek, The Week US Published
-
Sexual wellness trends to know, from products and therapies to retreats and hotels
The Week Recommends Talking about pleasure and sexual health is becoming less taboo
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
Is the AI bubble deflating?
Today's Big Question Growing skepticism and high costs prompt reconsideration
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
The England kit: a furore over the flag
Why everyone's talking about Nike's redesign of the St George's Cross on the collar of the English national team's shirt has caused controversy
By The Week UK Published
-
Bobby Charlton: England's old-fashioned sporting hero
Obituary Not only was Sir Bobby one of the country's greatest-ever footballers he was lauded for his demeanour on and off the pitch
By The Week UK Published
-
Coco Gauff: a tennis prodigy comes of age with US Open win
American 19-year-old battled back from a set down to claim first grand slam title
By The Week Staff Published
-
Adam and Simon Yates become the first twins to top a Tour de France stage
feature Good news stories from the past seven days
By The Week Staff Published
-
The Ashes: can England mount a glorious comeback?
feature ‘Herculean’ task follows ugly scenes at controversial second test
By The Week Staff Published
-
Football, F1, golf, boxing: are the Saudis taking over?
Talking Point Huge salaries are drawing players to Saudi as kingdom seeks ‘reputational gains’
By The Week Staff Published
-
‘Genuine visionary’: is Pep Guardiola the greatest of all time?
feature Spaniard has now won two trebles following Man City’s Champions League triumph
By The Week Staff Published
-
Luton Town’s extraordinary ‘resurrection’
feature The Hatters complete a fairy tale rise from non-league to the Premier League
By The Week Staff Published